Locklin named KU defensive line coach

Kerry Locklin's career

New Kansas defensive-line coach Kerry Locklin’s coaching career has spanned 21 years. Here’s a look at where he has been:

1988Western New Mexico, running backs

1989Utah, graduate assistant

1990-93Morehead State, running backs

1994Shreveport (CFL), wide receivers/linebackers

1995-99Eastern Michigan, defensive line

2000-08Fresno State, defensive line

2009-Kansas, defensive line

As the Kansas University football team undergoes what figures to be a long and arduous process in determining its 2009 defensive lineup, coach Mark Mangino can take solace in the fact that at least one area of the unit now has been finalized.

Mangino announced Tuesday that former Fresno State assistant Kerry Locklin has been named the Jayhawks’ defensive-line coach, filling the team’s last remaining coaching vacancy — left by Joe Bob Clements, who accepted an assistant job at Kansas State in early December after one season in Lawrence.

“Kerry is an outstanding fundamental football coach, who has done a tremendous job coaching the defensive line at Fresno State,” Mangino said. “We are excited to have him as part of our coaching staff.”

Locklin, who was an honorable mention All-American selection as a tight end at New Mexico State and played three seasons in the NFL, spent the past nine seasons as the defensive-line coach at Fresno State, where 11 of his linemen were named to the All-Western Athletic Conference team, and two — Garrett McIntyre and Alan Harper — earned conference defensive player of the year honors.

Before arriving at Fresno State, Locklin served as an assistant at Western New Mexico, Utah, Morehead State and Eastern Michigan. He also spent one season with Shreveport of the Canadian Football League.

“I feel this is a school with a rich tradition and is an up-and-coming program,” Locklin said. “Coach Mangino has done a great job getting the program headed in the right direction. I am excited to be a part of it. Kansas is very similar to Fresno State in getting respect in the conference and around the country.”

The addition of Locklin marks the second addition to the team’s staff in the past week and a half. On Jan. 10, Mangino announced the hiring of former Louisville assistant Bill Miller to serve as the team’s linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator.